GAME NOTES FROM FT. PIERRE
Two big plays
One of the biggest plays of the game that could have made an enormous difference came at the end of the first quarter. With the play clock expired and Weber scrambling near midfield, he launched a pass downfield that was hauled in by Evan Scharberg for an apparent touchdown.
But the play was called back when an official on the field flagged Weber for an illegal pass, claiming he was past the line of scrimmage when he let the ball fly.
On F/M/FA’s next play — the first of the second quarter — Weber threw an interception and the Buffaloes marched down the field to take a 12-8 lead.
Phoenix coaches — particularly offensive coordinator Austin Unurh — were visibly upset about the penalty, and the YouTube film shows that Weber was clearly behind the line of scrimmage when he made the long pass.
Even the announcer calling the game for the livestream questioned the call.
“He wasn’t across the line of scrimmage — he had crossed where the first-down marker was, certainly, but he surely did not appear to cross the line of scrimmage,” he said. “Oh my goodness; how’s that potentially for an enormous break for Stanley County.”
“Terrible,” was Tschetter’s comment the next morning, saying that when he questioned the referee after the play was called back, he was told that an official can throw a flag whenever he wants.
While it ultimately didn’t make a difference in the game, “it could have,” said the coach.
One of the other biggest plays of the game that had an impact was a penalty against the Buffaloes that came late. It happened on the kickoff after Stanley County had regained the lead 28-24 with just over 8 minutes to play.
After the Phoenix had successfully secured the kick at their own 42, the Buffaloes were flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct — a 15-yard penalty. The game film shows what happened; that after the play was whistled dead, Stanley County sophomore Teegyn Breitag laid a hard shoulder into Freeman freshman Alaric Knittel, knocking him to the ground.
“That’s huge; oh my goodness is that big,” said the commentator calling the game for the livestream. “What a gift there for F/M/FA potentially.”
Indeed, the foul moved the ball to the Stanley County 43-yard line, and on the very next play, Weber took the ball out of the shotgun formation and carried it around the edge for a 28-yard gain, setting up what would be the game-winning touchdown.
Local connection
The community of Freeman has a local connection with Stanley County through its senior quarterback, Broch Zeeb.
Zeeb, who threw for 136 yards and ran for another 46, is the son of Shannon and Brian Zeeb. Shannon grew up in Freeman Shannon Wollman and is a 1990 graduate of Freeman High School.
Rise and response
The fast rise of the Phoenix the past two years has been aided largely by playmakers on the offensive side of the ball who can strike quickly. That was evident on several occasions against the Buffaloes last week, but none more so than what happened over the course of 18 seconds in the second half.
Stanley County had just taken a 22-16 lead with 8:40 left in the third quarter when sophomore Luke Peters returned the kickoff 51 yards to the Buffaloes’ 31-yard line. On the very next play, Weber threw a screen pass to Jackson Donlan — also a sophomore — who made a move, broke away and scampered into the endzone for a go-ahead score. A two-point conversion run by Marion junior Dominic Sperling made it 24-22 in favor of the Phoenix, setting up the finish to come.
Trench battle
The game was as close as it seems.
F/M/FA and Stanley County both had leads in the first quarter;
F/M/FA and Stanley County both had leads in the second quarter;
F/M/FA and Stanley County both had leads in the third quarter;
F/M/FA and Stanley County both had leads in the fourth quarter.
But the Phoenix scored last and took advantage of a perfect night of two-point conversion attempts; they were 4-for-4 while the Buffaloes were 2-for-4, accounting for a swing of four points.
And for Stanley County, last week’s loss to the Phoneix was its eighth playoff loss in a row, according to the playcall on the game’s YouTube livestream.
Building for something bigger
Win or lose on Thursday, it’s nearing the end of the second season for a Phoenix football team that has quickly gained momentum. Through the first 19 games of the program, F/M/FA has posted a 14-5 record and a pair of thrilling wins in the playoffs.
And future shines even brighter. Just ask Kent Mueller, who began working with the Freeman Public girls basketball program last fall and, this year, in addition to his work with the Flyers on the hardwood, is a defensive consultant with the Phoenix.
And Mueller should know. The Freeman native led West Central to 12 state football championships — including six in a row — during what was a nearly three-decade career with the Trojans.
“First of all, a young coaching staff that has worked so hard and does an outstanding job, and a young team,” Mueller — pronounced Miller — said after Thursday’s win at Stanley County. “But I tell you what, the future is so bright for this program with the young kids coming up. It’s scary — in a good way.”
